Christmas 2022

Christmas 2022 

How swiftly days pass - all the excitement and preparation for Christmas, presents to wrap and send and, at this time of year, I am always reminded of Mum, as she used to help me by holding the wrapping paper in place, whilst I wielded the Sellotape. She would look up at me and grin, and say, "Now, don't stick my finger to the parcel!"  At least this year, I was "well ahead of the game," as they say, along with Christmas cards to friends and loved ones in England and overseas: due to action by the Royal Mail, I really had to send everything off as early as I could, and I got most of our mail - cards, parcels and letters - away in November. From everyone we have heard from so far, everything arrived in good time!

Our Christmas Day was a very happy and peaceful time, made extra special by having the chance to speak to Al and Dani on Face Time. It's a wonderful thing, to be able not just to hear, but also to see our loved ones at special times. Apart from me, everyone has Apple phones, so the connection on Christmas Day was easy. On the Samsung phone Wendy gave me, I can do WhatsApp and have messages and phone conversations, but that's about it. I can't take photos or upload them, and it's clear I have still so much to learn!

Al and Dani rang us just as I had been carving the turkey and dishing up the dinner, and they asked Wendy to take a photo of her plate, and send it to them, so here it is:

We had roast turkey (courtesy of Wendy, it was a fresh bird from Waitrose), roast caramelised potatoes, parsnips, carrots, swede, peas, Brussels sprouts and Yorkshire puddings, with a slice of Tunis Cake and chocolate Yule Log to follow.

Apparently, it is quite the thing nowadays for people having a meal in a restaurant to photograph their lunch/dinner/tea and upload the picture so that their friends can see what they are having - very strange! 

Anyway, if nothing else, it proves I cooked the "full monty" meal. 

Afterwards, we had a wonderful time, opening all the beautiful presents we had been given; everyone is so very kind and thoughtful, and we loved and appreciated every gift very much. 

Using the magic of the time-delay switch on the camera, we also took a photo of all three of us in front of the Christmas Tree:

Another photograph for the Memory Bank!

We might have been only few in number, but what a happy little band we were. We listened to some carols, and watched the King's speech on t.v. Everything had gone beautifully, and we have wonderful memories of a very happy 

Christmas Day.

London Snow

London Snow

"When men were all asleep the snow came flying  In large white flakes falling on the city brown

Stealthily and perpetually settling and loosely lying, Hushing the latest traffic of the drowsy town..."

These are the opening lines from one of my favourite poems, "London Snow," by Robert Bridges. I was first introduced to it by my speech and drama teacher, whilst I was living in Durban, and I was instantly captivated by its imagery and the way Bridges illustrates the beauty and stillness after a fall of snow. 

However, after my return to the U.K. in 1970, I have since learned there is another side to snow; beauty there is, certainly, but also a savagery and harshness and, with today's constant flow of traffic, a danger that is ever present when roads turn icy and people are out and about in their cars, and lorries are going about their business, transporting loads from depots to delivery sites, not to mention buses and cyclists and motor bikers. 

Last weekend saw us spend a couple of nights away in Colchester, attending a dance practice with Starlight Dancing on the Friday, and the Christmas Ball on the Saturday night. The dancing is held in the Marks Tey village hall, which is 50 miles away from home, so we decided that, rather than attempt to travel back each evening, we would make a pre-Christmas break of it, and book two nights at the Holiday Inn in Colchester. 

As the weather got even colder, with swathes of icy blasts dragged in from the arctic, it was obvious it was a very good decision! We had a very short drive from the hotel to the venue, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves; we had good company - sitting at our table were two couples we first met earlier this year, at the dancing holiday in Torquay - and Bob also won a spot prize in one of the quickstep dances, which was a lovely surprise!

Sunday morning dawned bright and very cold, but no matter; we had a good breakfast, packed our bags and our dancing shoes, and set off for home at about 1.00 p.m. 

As we drove, the weather started to show signs of change; there was fog, then freezing fog, and it was terribly cold. We were glad to get in, get the central heating thermostat raised up to a higher temperature, and generally snuggle in for the night.

And during the night, the snow arrived. Two and a half inches - 5 centimeters - of it, covering our garden.

It looked beautiful, and indeed, the snow hushed sound; even the magpies stayed in their nests and did not venture out to steal any of the food we put out to feed the stray cats we keep fed, especially during these harsh times. 

We also had a dancing lesson booked for the morning, but before we left, our lovely teacher rang us to say, she was going to cancel the session; the roads leading to the dance hall are not main roads, and therefore not all are gritted, and they can be very tricky to negotiate, so we were very grateful for her thoughtfulness. 

Then the reports started coming through on the television news, about problems on the roads - even the A roads, like the A12, were experiencing difficulties, and there were accidents on the M25, with terrible delays for everyone attempting to drive somewhere. 

How glad we were we did not have to go anywhere! and over the past few days, our temperatures have been recorded as low as minus 5 degrees. Bob has braved going to the shops for groceries, but we do not travel far. Even during the day, the thermometer struggles to get above freezing. 

So, yes, this is indeed London Snow. Beautiful and hushed, but also treacherous and slippery.
It is now starting to thaw a little, when the sun comes out and shines on it to melt the top layer, but then of course it freezes again overnight, and the ice crystals glitter in the next morning's sunshine.

We are promised an improvement: warmer weather at the weekend, with rain, and then perhaps we shall have plus 9 (!) degrees, instead of minus figures, to contend with.

As someone who grew up in East Africa, I feel the cold terribly, but with this severe weather, I have not been alone in finding it difficult to cope. We have not even had the shortest day yet, but once that passes, and - however imperceptibly - the days begin to lengthen, surely we can start to look forward to spring!

 

 

Book Signing At The West Somerset Railway

Book Signing At The West Somerset Railway

We were invited to return to the West Somerset Railway, so that Bob could have a couple of days at the shop in Minehead, signing copies of his book, "Isabel Finds A Home," and we were really eager to get back to the Railway. The last time we were there was four (four!) years ago, and then of course the pandemic hit, everything was closed, and we couldn't go anywhere. 

It was so good to be back! Wendy drove us to Minehead, and we stayed at the Premier Inn, a short drive from the station, so it was also a mini-break for us all.

Everyone at the Railway was so hospitable, and we really enjoyed it - there were lots of passengers, because it was the last days of normal running for this season. 

 

Bob said, "It was wonderful to be back and meet a few old friends from my days as a Fireman on the Railway. It was a chance to give something back after many years of happy footplate work, and all the staff in the shop at Minehead made us very welcome."

 

  

Wendy and I took the opportunity on the Saturday to chuff up and down the line to Bishops Lydeard and back, all with the whiff of steam and everyone so happy to be on board. I was also asked to make a couple of station announcements: "The train now standing at Platform 1 is the 16.30 steam service calling at all stations to Bishops Lydeard...!"  

 

They would also like me to do that again! and we have been asked if we can make another visit in the summer, when it will be even busier. That’s another trip to look forward to!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Shopping

 

Christmas Shopping

Wendy then reminded us that John Lewis is open until 8.00 p.m., so we decided it would be a good idea to find another parking space in Liverpool 1, and take the opportunity to have a look round the shop. Their Christmas Store is also open, and we were on the hunt for a new Christmas tree! We had seen lots of trees that looked suitable on-line, but we like to see things on display, and make sure they are exactly what we are looking for. 

We had a magical couple of hours in John Lewis, spoiled for choice by all the Christmas trees on display. However, we knew pretty much what we wanted, and soon whittled it down to a six-footer, with a little pre-lighting already place. We didn't want a tree completely decorated with lights, as we want to add our own, but we reckoned it would be a good idea to get one with a basic set already fitted.

They also had the most luxurious tinsel garlands, and a set of lights that looked like a string of beads - very pretty indeed; they also went in to our basket, and then I saw a red squirrel, with such a sweet expression, I couldn't resist taking him home as well. 

Wendy and Bob went off to collect the tree from the collection area, whilst I went back to the mirrors and pictures department, and had a restful sit down! 

What a successful day it had been; seeing a good friend, enjoying Christmas shopping, and all achieved with the minimum of fuss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Then, On to Panormic 34!

 

And Then, On To Panoramic 34!

Having given the venue such a good rating, including praising the wonderful panoramic views, Wendy suggested I describe what can be seen on a good day: To the south, you can see across the Mersey to the Wirral with Birkenhead and shipbuilders Cammell Laird, and the Welsh hills. To the west, it's the Irish Sea, and to the east, the City of Liverpool is laid out before you, with the Liver Building, the Anglican Cathedral, the City FM Radio Station Tower and, of course, the river, in view. Looking out to the north, you can see the docks and Bootle but, as I've just said, a lot depends on the weather. If we are ever in Blackpool, and the weather is fine, from the top of the Blackpool Tower you can see Liverpool, which is 50 miles to the south, as the crow flies. 

On this visit, it all started off a bit overcast and rainy, but happily, as the day progressed, the weather improved. 

Panoramic views from Panoramic 34!

We were made very welcome by the staff, and enjoyed the tea and champagne; I had my usual sip of it for the toast, and then our friend "helped me out!" as he put it, and finished it off for me. 

I had also ordered my usual very simple "Plain white bread and butter and cucumber" sandwiches, that came on a large plate, which meant everyone else could enjoy them too. There were the other, "fancier" offerings that didn't appeal to me, and I was well satisfied with my very simple fare. 

It was reasonably quiet at the venue, so we were seated early, and could really take our take to enjoy the tea and the view. The weather continued to get better, and there were some beautiful moments when the sunshine broke through clouds, lying like a gleaming carpet across the river. and visibility improved, too.

 

 

 A silver ray of sun stretches like a bridge across the Mersey, 

whilst the skies are brightening

It was so lovely to be able to spend time with a dear friend, and we were all very happy to have had the opportunity to meet up again! I know a lot has happened over the past couple of years, and the days, weeks and months - and then years - go by, without actually seeing people we are fond of; it's very important to make an effort and arrange get-togethers whenever possible. 

We drove our friend back to his hotel, promising we won't leave it so long again, before we arrange another meeting!

We Visit Liverpool And Kirkdale

We Visit Liverpool And Kirkdale

We have been on our travels this month! It had been such a long while since I'd been up to Liverpool, and we had a special reason to visit this time: we had booked a table for a champagne tea at Panoramic 34, and invited a dear friend to come and share the afternoon with us.

Panoramic 34 is, of course, where I booked for everyone to join us after Mum's funeral in September 2020; we have good memories of that afternoon, and I am sure Mum was looking down on us and smiling whilst we talked about her, and celebrated her life. 

Before finding parking at the venue, we first drove to Kirkdale, and visited Mum's grave. We always find it easily, because it is next to the headstone with Aunt Marion's name on it. 

All the hardy erica and rockery plants we put in last year had not survived the drought and very hot summer, so it was looking very bare. We visited the florist across the road and decided to get a couple of pots of artificial flowers, which looked lovely - and hopefully will last a little longer. We filled out the cards the florist gave us, and inserted them in the little holder provided, and then did our best to make sure the pots were placed as firmly as we could get them, into the ground. 

 

The little pots mark the place where Mum, Grandma, my Grandfather and Uncle Austen are all resting, and they certainly make a bright splash of colour and show we have been there to care and and pray and think of them.

Wendy said when she is next in Liverpool, she will come to Kirkdale and add a card for Mum, and Grandma; and in due course, when things have settled down a bit more, I must look into arranging a headstone for them. 

Mum always said she would like an open book design, so that the four names can be easily inscribed:

Austin Woods; John Woods; Alice Woods (nee Thompson) and Phyllis Audrey Whitwell (nee Woods).

We shall fulfill that promise for her.

A Great Day Out In London (Part 2)

A Great Day Out In London (Part 2)

After a great afternoon at the RAF Club, and fortified by a delicious lunch (and champagne), our trip into town still had some way to run. 

Wendy had organised parking in the RCP car park in Arlington Street, and because of the way we had had to estimate how long we would need, it ended up as a 24 slot. It was expensive, but at least we could take our time and not have to rush, worrying about overstaying our time.

We walked back to the car park; Wendy retrieved our shopping trolley from the boot, and then we carried on along Piccadilly to Fortnum and Mason.

Of course we also passed The Ritz entrance in Arlington Street, and it gave me a moment's pause, remembering how often we used to go there with Mum; back in the day, we would go for tea 5 times a year, to celebrate all our birthdays! but since then, there have been so many changes, people retiring or leaving and new ideas being introduced by the new owners that, for us, it doesn't bear much resemblance to The Ritz - and the atmosphere - we knew and loved. 

Still, no regrets; happy memories of what once was, and we have found a new romantic home at Fortnum and Mason.

I had pre-ordered some goodies as presents for our dear friends and loved ones at Christmas, and the plan was to collect them after the RAF luncheon, as well as seeing what else took our fancy in the shop.

The "Christmas Store" was already open, and we spent a happy hour admiring the delights of Christmas trees and baubles, Advent candles and decorations; there is now definitely something in the air, that the festive season will soon be upon us. 

I do love Christmas; I never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, and it is also the time when we can make a real effort to keep in touch with everyone, write all those letters we should have sent off weeks (or even months!) ago, before our busy lives intruded and persuaded us it was o.k. to postpone everything for a while. Yes, sometimes we can get away with putting things off, but then there are the times when it proves to be too late to speak to someone, or write to them; from personal experience, I know how sad that can be. I try to make sure I keep up with what I love to do, anyway - and that is to write and keep in contact with everyone.

Wendy by one of the Fortnum and Mason Christmas trees

We enjoyed a visit to the Christmas Store and indeed found other delicious offerings of gifts and goodies; then it was down to the lower ground floor to collect the items already ordered. 

Everything was ready for us - beautifully packed in three (!) very large boxes! and it was a shame we couldn't take them all back to the car just as they were.  We carefully undid all the boxes, assisted by a very helpful lady, who checked everything was exactly what we wanted, and then Wendy, being the expert packer that she is, placed all the biscuits and teas and chocolates into Fortnum and Mason bags, which then went in to our trolley. It was all very heavy! but with wheels underneath the trolley bag, it simply rolled along effortlessly. There were still a few bags left to carry, filled with the "overflow" items, but it meant we got back to the car with little effort, loaded everything in the back, and set off for home.

Altogether a successful, and enjoyable, day out in London!